There is an old spiritual song that says:

” Yield not to temptation
For yielding is sin
Each victory will help you
Some other to win.”

While not inspired, as is the Bible, H. R. Palmer certainly expressed a Bible Truth here!

Past victories do build our faith for future battles!

I use as an illustration an event in the life of young David, the future King of Israel. With the emphasis on “future.”

He was being chased by King Saul. The wicked Monarch wanted to David, considering him a threat.

David has fled to a city known as Nob, northeast of Bethlehem. There resided a Priest named Ahimelech. David is running, hungry, and defenseless. In the Old Testament of course, 1 Samuel chapter 21 tells the sad story.

By a special dispensation of God, the Priest gives David bread to eat, the very shewbread, hallowed bread, from the Sanctuary! Jesus referred to this event in Mark 2:25-27.

But also, David has no weapon! Neither does the Priest or anyone around him!

Now our Text … “And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom thou slewest in the valley of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod: if thou wilt take that, take it: for there is no other save that here. And David said, There is none like that; give it me.” 1 Samuel 21:9

David knows this sword!

Remember the slaying of Goliath?

“Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.” 1 Samuel 17:51

This particular (large, heavy) sword was a part of one of David greatest victories!

Now … he needs it again!

And he leaves Abimelech, sword in hand, never to be unarmed again!

And what a mighty warrior David became!

For example, there would be no Jerusalem today had David not conquered a group of people known as the Jebusites. (“Jebus, which is Jerusalem.” Judges 19:10)

David slew so many enemies that God (respectfully) called him a “man of war.” (1 Chronicles 28:3)

That past victory (Goliath and the sword) helped bolster David to fight future skirmishes, wars … and win victory after victory for the Glory of Giod!

Our song again …

” Yield not to temptation
For yielding is sin
Each victory will help you
Some other to win.”

Think today of a past victory God has given you!

And build upon that!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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